By Connor Adams Sheets
New York City’s most prolific wish-granter has been recognized for his dedication to making dreams come true for children with critical illnesses with the dedication of a “wall of wishes” in his name.
In the past five years, Stewart Rahr, president and chief executive officer of Whitestone pharmaceutical giant Kinray Inc., has funded more children’s wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation than any other individual in the New York metro area, with his underwriting of one wish per month for that entire period, according to the foundation.
“He is a Make-A-Wish champion and he has contributed so much to so many lives,” Pat Clemency, president and chief executive officer of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York, said. “We were thinking about how to honor Stewart and we thought we should celebrate each wish.”
So the foundation presented him with a prominently placed installation at the Kinray offices in Whitestone March 31, featuring a tree with a leaf for each child he has touched through his good works. The leaf listed the youngster’s name and the wish he brought to fruition for the girl or boy.
The tree has more than 60 such leaves, but Rahr had one further request when the tree was being planned.
“Make sure you leave room for some future names,” he said.
From a trip to Disney World to a brand-new computer, Rahr has fulfilled the foundation’s mission by making a sick child’s most-cherished dream come true.
One such child, Maggie — who was in attendance along with two other recipients of Rahr’s gifts — wanted to see London and Paris, as well as Normandy, France, where her grandfather fought in World War II. She was able to do so because of Rahr’s commitment to the foundation.
“These children are able to say here is the one thing that would mean the most to me, and through his generosity we have been able to grant these wishes,” Clemency said. “In a time when life seems turned upside down by critical illness, it allows them to be a kid again.”
Reach reporter Connor Adams Sheets by e-mail at csheets@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
